8:11 Then the Pharisees 1 came and began to argue with Jesus, asking for 2 a sign from heaven 3 to test him.
1 sn See the note on Pharisees in 2:16.
2 tn Grk “seeking from him.” The participle ζητοῦντες (zhtountes) shows the means by which the Pharisees argued with Jesus.
3 sn What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.
4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the implied contrast present in this context.
5 sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.
6 tn Or “and their scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
7 tn Or “grumbled”; a term often used in the OT for inappropriate grumbling: Exod 15:24; 16:7-8; Num 14:2, 26-35; 16:11.
8 sn The issue here is inappropriate associations (eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners) and the accusation comes not against Jesus, but his disciples.
7 tn Grk “And Jesus.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 sn Jesus’ point is that he associates with those who are sick because they have the need and will respond to the offer of help. A person who is well (or who thinks mistakenly that he is) will not seek treatment.
10 sn I have not come is another commission statement by Jesus; see 4:43-44.
11 sn Though parallels exist to this saying (Matt 9:13; Mark 2:17), only Luke has this last phrase but sinners to repentance. Repentance is a frequent topic in Luke’s Gospel: 3:3, 8; 13:1-5; 15:7, 10; 16:30; 17:3-4; 24:47.